Nov 25, 2016, 10:22 pm
Last edit by: Prospero
Buying Higher Class of Service Than Ticketed
"Effective December 19, 2012, AA will waive the ticket change charge if customer purchases into a higher cabin (business or first), regardless of booking inventory, on the same routing/same day*. For example, no changes to origin/destination except the change to cabin/flight time is allowed with no ticket change charge. Customer would be responsible for paying the difference in fares. The non-refundable portion of the ticket remains non-refundable and would be handled internally by Refunds when necessary."
- AA Revenue Tickets, Ticket Change
Unlike an upgrade, earnings in EQM etc. should be for the new fare.
*This includes co-terminals as allowed in the detailed fare rules or elsewhere.
"Effective December 19, 2012, AA will waive the ticket change charge if customer purchases into a higher cabin (business or first), regardless of booking inventory, on the same routing/same day*. For example, no changes to origin/destination except the change to cabin/flight time is allowed with no ticket change charge. Customer would be responsible for paying the difference in fares. The non-refundable portion of the ticket remains non-refundable and would be handled internally by Refunds when necessary."
- AA Revenue Tickets, Ticket Change
Unlike an upgrade, earnings in EQM etc. should be for the new fare.
*This includes co-terminals as allowed in the detailed fare rules or elsewhere.
Upgrading AA Fare Code or Class of Service - Upfare / Upfaring (master thd)
Jan 6, 2010, 7:38 pm
#16
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 278
How to force higher fare class?
I am helping a friend try to complete a platinum challenge (NYC-GIG roundtrip). We are having no problem getting a fare class that earns 1 point/mile on the way down but on the way back we haven't been able to find a relatively cheap one without terrible layovers (the convenient flights are all cheap and with lower fare classes).
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
Jan 6, 2010, 7:44 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388
I am helping a friend try to complete a platinum challenge (NYC-GIG roundtrip). We are having no problem getting a fare class that earns 1 point/mile on the way down but on the way back we haven't been able to find a relatively cheap one without terrible layovers (the convenient flights are all cheap and with lower fare classes).
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
Is there any way to force AA.com to give a higher fare class? Or perhaps a way to use a creative routing to generate a higher fare class?
You can always book an undesirable routing online, put it on hold and then call to change it to the appropriate fare class and routing.
Jan 6, 2010, 8:04 pm
#18
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: MSP/DFW
Programs: Priority Club PLT, Marriott Titanium, AA EXP
Posts: 480
Have you tried putting the itinerary on hold, and then calling AA to have them "upfare" it to a level that will give the 1.5 EQP? I am pretty sure I saw someone reference a thread that details that procedure (not that it should be tough to do), but I can not come across it. I seem to be search challenged.
Jan 6, 2010, 8:44 pm
#19
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
'Hi. I have a reservation on hold. It's locator ABC123. I'd like to upfare that to a class that earns 1.5eqm/mile round-trip. How much? Yes, that's good. Thank you. No, don't ticket it. I will do that online.'
Jan 6, 2010, 8:53 pm
#20
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Some also put the fare on 24 hour hold and then call Web Services, get the ticket upfared, then purchase on aa.com.
Jan 7, 2010, 4:47 pm
#21
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Gold
Posts: 111
definitely worth putting the itinerary on hold and calling up AA. i have tried a few times to upfare from S on an EZE-JFK leg purchased a couple weeks ago so that I complete a platinum challenge. while each agent I've spoken to on the phone has been happy to find the next highest fare, each has refused drop the $200 change fee associated with upping the booking code...
Jan 7, 2010, 5:01 pm
#22
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: SJC
Programs: AA EXP, BA Silver, Hyatt Globalist, Hilton diamond, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 33,533
definitely worth putting the itinerary on hold and calling up AA. i have tried a few times to upfare from S on an EZE-JFK leg purchased a couple weeks ago so that I complete a platinum challenge. while each agent I've spoken to on the phone has been happy to find the next highest fare, each has refused drop the $200 change fee associated with upping the booking code...
Cheers.
Jan 7, 2010, 6:48 pm
#23
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MKE
Programs: American AAdvantage; Carlson Goldpoints.
Posts: 180
Calling for upfare vs. checking on the net...
Hi.
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
Jan 7, 2010, 7:06 pm
#24
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP / LT PLT / 3MM, Marriott LT Gold
Posts: 35,388
Hi.
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
Jan 7, 2010, 7:23 pm
#25
Moderator: New York City and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2007
Programs: AA PLT, Natl EC
Posts: 10,855
Hi.
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
I understand that AA.com will ticket at the lowest possible price.
And, I understand why someone may choose to pay a higher fare (to earn more EQPs.)
What I'm not sure of: so many people suggest booking a cheapie fare, putting it on "hold", and *calling* AA to find the lowest price that would produce more points.
Can't you do that already by just running the itineray twice on AA.com, once specifying restricted coach, and the next restricted business class? Or, does calling tend to get a lower "upgrade" fare?
http://www.flyerguide.com/wiki/index...ility_%28AA%29
Jan 7, 2010, 7:37 pm
#26
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.
Posts: 7,664
definitely worth putting the itinerary on hold and calling up AA. i have tried a few times to upfare from S on an EZE-JFK leg purchased a couple weeks ago so that I complete a platinum challenge. while each agent I've spoken to on the phone has been happy to find the next highest fare, each has refused drop the $200 change fee associated with upping the booking code...
mike
Jan 7, 2010, 11:02 pm
#27
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: SFO/OAK
Programs: AA EXP 3.4MM, BAEC, UAMP, Skyteam (<10k) HH Gold, IHG Plat, Hertz Gold, GE/TSA TT
Posts: 2,723
Don't forget that you cannot put an itinerary on hold that includes any segments with a different airline's flight number. (for example, AA codeshare flight#s operated by BA are ok to hold, but an itin with the same flight under a BA # cannot be put on hold)
Apr 26, 2010, 5:37 pm
#29
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: AUS
Programs: AA EXP/OW Emerald
Posts: 352
Other than canceling your online reservation, taking the cancellation fee hit and starting again, not that I'm aware. The AAgents are very nice, tell them what fare class you want to upgrade to (I presume it is an upgrade to get better mileage/points earning), and you pay the difference. I've never been charged a booking fee doing this either.